Mobile barrier

Abstract

In one embodiment, a safety trailer has semi-tractor hitches at both ends and a safety wall that is fixed to one side of the trailer. That side, however, can be changed to the right or left side of the road, depending on the end to which the truck attaches. A caboose can be attached at the end of the trailer opposite the tractor to provide additional lighting and impact protection. Optionally, the trailer can be equipped with overhead protection, lighting, ventilation, onboard hydraulics, compressors, generators and other equipment, as well as related fuel, water, storage and restroom facilities and other amenities.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A mobile barrier for use in military, riot control, and terrorism prevention operations comprising:
 (a) first and second platforms, each of said first and second platforms having either at least one set of wheels or a kingpin; 
 (b) a plurality of interconnected wall sections positioned between and connected to the first and second platforms, the plurality of wall sections defining a protected work area on a side of the trailer, wherein an outer wall skin and an interior armor layer of the wall sections is fabricated out of a penetration or explosive resistant material, selected from the group comprising: Kevlar, steel, solid armor, spaced armor, composite armor, high impact carbon fiber, special high strength steel, tungsten ceramic and concrete; 
 (c) wherein each wall section has at least one of the following features: 
 (c1) the wall section further comprise an upper wall extension that increases a height of the well section; or 
 (c2) the wall section further comprises a lower wall extension that occupies at least part of a gap between a bottom of the wall section and a travel surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The mobile barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the wall section comprises an upper wall extension and said upper wall extension rotates around a hinge member into position from a position on a first side of the wall. 
     
     
       3. The mobile barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the wall section comprises a lower wall extension and said lower wall extension rotates around a hinge member into position from a position on a first side of the wall. 
     
     
       4. The mobile barrier of  claim 1  wherein the wall section comprises an upper wall extension and said upper wall extension slides into position. 
     
     
       5. The mobile barrier of  claim 1  wherein the wall section comprises a lower wall extension and said lower wall extension slides into position. 
     
     
       6. The mobile barrier of  claim 1  wherein the wall sections are strengthened by means selected from the group comprising: making end plates of stronger material, making the end plates of thicker material, making the end plates larger for use with more and/or larger dowels and/or bolts, gusseting the end plates to a main beam structure of the wall sections. 
     
     
       7. The mobile barrier of  claim 1  wherein the wall sections are a preferred height of at least about 4.1 feet, more preferably of at least about 4.25 feet, and even more preferably at least about 4.5 feet. 
     
     
       8. The mobile barrier of  claim 1  wherein the first or second platforms includes one or more features selected from the group comprising stationary turrets, rotating turrets, bullet/blast proofed enclosures, large caliber guns, small caliber guns, attachments for cameras, mine clearing devices, mine detecting devices, and other on-site, and remotely viewable and/or controllable equipment. 
     
     
       9. The mobile barrier of  claim 1  wherein the barrier further comprises trailer stands that automatically raise and/or lower via air, hydraulics, electrical or other mechanical means. 
     
     
       10. The mobile barrier of  claim 1  wherein the barrier has protective wall sections deployed on both sides of the first and second platforms with a fully enclosed protected work area being positioned in the center. 
     
     
       11. A mobile barrier for use in military, riot control, and terrorism prevention operations comprising:
 (a) first and second platforms; 
 (b) a plurality of interconnected wall sections positioned between and connected to the first and second platforms, the plurality of wall sections defining a protected work area on a side of the trailer, wherein an outer wall skin and an interior armor layer of the wall sections is fabricated out of a penetration or explosive resistant material, selected from the group comprising: Kevlar, steel, solid armor, spaced armor, composite armor, high impact carbon fiber, special high strength steel, tungsten, ceramic and concrete; 
 (c) wherein each wall section has at least one of the following features: 
 (c1) the wall section further comprises an upper wall extension that increases a height of the wall section; or 
 (c2) wall section further comprises a lower wall extension that occupies least part of a gap between, a bottom of the wall section and a travel surface; and 
 wherein the wall sections include layering of multiple steel plates and a common set of holes with a dowel on an outer plate extending through a middle plate and securely into a trailer frame structure. 
 
     
     
       12. A mobile barrier for use in military, riot control, and terrorism prevention operations comprising:
 (a) first and, second platforms; 
 (b) a plurality of interconnected wall sections positioned between and connected to the first and second platforms, the plurality of wall sections defining, a protected work area on a side of the trailer, wherein an outer wall skin and an interior armor layer of the wall sections is fabricated out of a penetration or explosive resistant material, selected from the group comprising: Kevlar, steel, solid armor, spaced armor, composite armor, high impact carbon fiber, special high strength steel, tungsten, ceramic and concrete; 
 (c) wherein each wall section has at least one of the following features: 
 (c1) wall section further comprises an upper wall extension that increases a height of the wall section; or 
 (c2) the wall section further comprises a lower wall extension that occupies at least part of a gap between a bottom of the wall section and a travel surface; and 
 wherein the barrier is wide enough to allow a tractor and/or a caboose to steer while enclosed by the deployed wall sections.